99.1 The Sports Animal

Knoxville Police are Asking for Help to Identify Suspects in 10 Year-Old Murder of a Taxi Driver

June 30, 2024

Knoxville Police are asking for help to identify the suspects in a cold case.

On June 29th, 2014, officers responded to the Sims Road and Cook drive area where they found 40-year-old Paul Shepherd Jr. with at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

He was a local taxi driver who had just started his job two days prior to his murder, his last trip was from Townview Towers to just outside of Montgomery Village.

Witnesses told police they had seen two young men get out of the taxi and shoot him before running away.

Anyone with information is asked to call East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165 or online. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible to receive a cash reward.

KPD

Knoxville Police Still Investigating the Four Year Old Murder of a 24 Year-Old Woman Outside a Western Heights Apartment

June 30, 2024

Knoxville Police are still investigating a homicide after a woman is found dead on Better Tomorrow Drive in the Western Heights area.

It happened four years ago today,(Sunday 6/30), officers found 24-year-old Katelyn Slivenski dead outside of an apartment suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

Several persons of interest have been questioned but so far, no arrests have been made.

KPD is asking anyone with information please give them a call.

Investigation Underway after Two People Found Dead in Cumberland County Home

June 28, 2024

Cumberland County, TN (WOKI) An investigation is underway after two people are found dead Thursday night in a home in Cumberland County.

Officials with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office say deputies responded to 5029 Shoshone Loop in the Lake Tansi Community for a welfare check, finding 56-year-old Gary Agopsowicz and 56-year-old Angela Fifelski both dead from apparent gunshot wounds.

CCSO says there is no threat to public safety in connection to the incident.

“We would like to assure the residents of Cumberland County that there is no threat to public safety and no reason for concern,” Lt. Gary Howard said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gary Agopsowicz and Angela Fifelski. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate this heartbreaking loss.”

Both bodies were taken to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.

*Two people were found dead in a home Thursday night, according to officials with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office*. (*Courtesy: CCSO*)

Missing Georgia Firefighters Reportedly Found Dead in Cocke County Tennessee

June 28, 2024

Update: The Cocke County Sheriff’s Office says two people have been found dead inside a car.

Sheriff C.J. Ball says the car was found yesterday (Sunday) along Hollow Road in Cosby and the bodies were too decomposed to identify.

Their bodies have been sent for autopsy to determine their identities but they are believed to be the two missing firefighters out of Georgia. The fire station there has confirmed their deaths in a Facebook post.

No other details have been released and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is assisting in this case.

Original Story: Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Police in Tennessee and Georgia are asking for help finding two missing firefighters.

Officials with the Hinesville, Georgia Police Department say firefighters Raegan Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander were reported missing out of Hinesville and could be in Tennessee.

Police say they could be driving Anderson’s car, a black 2017 Ford Focus, and that one of their phones “pinged” in the East Tennessee area.

Officials with the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office confirmed with our news partner, WVLT, that CCSO is looking for the same car, in case the pair are in the area.

*The two firefighters, Raegan Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander, were reported missing out of Hinesville*. (*Courtesy: Hinesville Police Department*)

Y-12 Credit Union Hosting Major Hiring Event

June 28, 2024

Oak Ridge, TN (WOKI) Y-12 Credit Union has announced a hiring event for call center agents next month.

Representatives with the credit union say the organization is seeing rapid growth and wants to attract workers.

The event is slated for July 9 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 2375 Cherahala Blvd. in Knoxville.

Those interested are asked to attend ready for interviews and on-the-spot hiring.

Employees at Y-12 Credit Union are being offered remote opportunities, benefits and more with pay starting at $17 an hour.

Poll Question: What’s the next different U. of Tennessee team that will win a national championship?

June 28, 2024

Coming off of the Tennessee Volunteers baseball team’s first-ever national championship electrifying the UT fanbase, we want to know what different sport at the University of Tennessee do you think will be the next to win a national championship?

We’d love for you to vote in the poll below and share with others, so they can cast their votes as well. Photo of Neyland Stadium courtesy of UT Athletics.

Knoxville Native Named New Yale University President

June 18, 2024

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Yale University has tapped a Knoxville native to be its 24th president.

The Yale Board of Trustees last week choosing Maurie McInnis for the post unanimously.

The board’s Senior Trustee and chair of the presidential search committee Josh Bekenstein described McInnis as “a compelling leader, distinguished scholar, and devoted educator” whose “experience and accomplishments over the past three decades have prepared her to lead Yale in the years ahead.”

McInnis earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia before earning her master’s and doctorate at Yale located in New Haven, Connecticut. Since then, she’s been heavily involved at Yale.

Photo courtesy of WVLT

Kingsport Police Asking for Help to Find a Runaway Teen

June 18, 2024

Kingsport Police are asking for help to find a runaway teen.

14-year-old Exenia Pafford has been reported and entered into the national NICI database for missing persons.

Police say she is believed to have left her home voluntarily sometime Sunday night and may be heading to the Greeneville area.

Exenia was last seen wearing a black tank top, black sweatpants, white shoes with a Nike logo. She has a piercing on the right side of her nose. Exenia is 5′3″ tall and weighs 115 lbs. She has brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information regarding Exenia’s current whereabouts is asked to contact Kingsport Central Dispatch at (423) 246-9111 or the Criminal Investigations Division at (423) 229-9429.

Knoxville Police Identify Suspect and Victim in Fatal North Knoxville Stabbing

June 18, 2024

Updated story: Knoxville Police have identified the victim and suspect from a deadly stabbing in the 400 Block of East Oldham Avenue.

The victim, 44 year-old Michelle Dresch, the suspect, 50-year-old Virgil Belin, who has a warrant charging him with first-degree murder.

Police believe Belin stabbed the victim multiple times following a domestic dispute and ran from the scene before officers arrived.

Belin is not in custody and anyone with information is asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible to receive a cash reward.

Original Story: Knoxville Police are investigating a deadly stabbing in North Knoxville.

Officers called to a home in the 400 block of E. Oldham Avenue to investigate a stabbing this morning (Monday). They found a woman who had been stabbed at least one time who was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Homicide detectives have strong leads but a suspect has not been arrested or charged.

Summer Movie Magic Series Back at Tennessee Theatre

June 18, 2024

The Summer Movie Magic series is coming back to the Tennessee Theatre in downtown Knoxville next month!

The event includes blockbuster hits and theater classics, and it runs from late July until late August. Here’s the lineup:

The Lion King – Saturday, July 27 at 2 p.m.
The Matrix – Saturday, July 27 at 8 p.m.
Star Wars: Episode VI – The Return of the Jedi – Saturday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m.
Thelma and Louise – Saturday, Aug. 10 at 8 p.m.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – Saturday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m.
Jurassic Park – Saturday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m.

“The versatility of the Tennessee Theatre allows us to transform it into a majestic movie theater for the Summer Movie Magic Series,” Tennessee Theatre Executive Director Becky Hancock said. “It’s an exciting time of year with a lot of different movie-viewing opportunities, and we are excited to bring some classic blockbusters to our big screen. There really will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Tickets to each showing will cost $10 for adults and $8 for kids under 12 or seniors over 65, and doors will open an hour before the showings. Those interested in getting tickets can do so by going to https://www.tennesseetheatre.com/

Knoxville Police are Asking for Help to Identify Suspects in 10 Year-Old Murder of a Taxi Driver

Knoxville Police Still Investigating the Four Year Old Murder of a 24 Year-Old Woman Outside a Western Heights Apartment

Investigation Underway after Two People Found Dead in Cumberland County Home

Missing Georgia Firefighters Reportedly Found Dead in Cocke County Tennessee

Y-12 Credit Union Hosting Major Hiring Event

Poll Question: What’s the next different U. of Tennessee team that will win a national championship?